Have Chronic Pain? Oregon Pain Management Commission Would Like to Hear From You

Nationally, pain is the No. 1 reason for absence from work and for visits to physicians, costing an estimated $100 billion a year in medical expenses and lost work time.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Oregonians experiencing chronic pain now can communicate directly with the Oregon Pain Management Commission via the Internet, thanks to a recent upgrade to the commission's website. The new interactive component of the site allows individuals to send the commission their comments and suggestions about pain, treatment and related issues. "The commission meets every other month in Salem, but the members wanted to encourage Oregonians to communicate with them at their own convenience," said Kathryn Hahn, a Springfield pharmacist and the commission's chairwoman. "We truly do want to hear Oregonians' ideas about pain management and treatment." Chronic pain often leads to domestic strife and to abuse of alcohol or other drugs. The Oregon Pain Management Commission is part of the Department of Human Services. Its members include 17 Oregonians appointed by the DHS director and two state legislators. Its mission is to improve pain management in Oregon and to represent the concerns of Oregon pain patients to the Governor and Legislature. "We cannot offer any advice or treatment to people through the Web site," Hahn said. "But we want to hear from them so we can represent their views before DHS, legislators and the Governor." The website's address is: www.oregon.gov/DHS/pain/feedback.shtml The DHS Pain Management website also includes resources for medical professionals, including notice of upcoming classes and seminars, and links to mandatory pain management training. For more information, visit www.oregon.gov/DHS/pain